National League Division Series 2012: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals

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Early success

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning of Game 5 of the NLDS in Washington. Gonzalez dominated early but struggled in the middle innings. The Cardinals rallied to win the game 9-7 and the series. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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In this multiple exposure photo, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws to the Washington Nationals in the second inning of Game 5. Wainwright was hit hard and knocked out of the game in the third inning. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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Mr. Excitement

Washington's Bryce Harper, right, low-fives Adam LaRoche after scoring on a home run by Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning. Harper later homered as the Nationals took a 6-0 lead after three innings in Game 5. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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Unlikely hero

Cardinals second baseman Daniel Descalso watches his solo home run in the eighth inning. One inning later, he contribute the game-tying hit during a furious four-run rally. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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Whoop it up

The Cardinals' dugout erupts after Pete Kozma's go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth. The rookie shortstop was in the minor leagues in late August before being promoted as an injury replacement. (Nick Wass/AP)

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Get the party started

Cardinals players rush to the mound, where closer Jason Motte had just finished off a historic Game 5 victory for the defending world champions. (Nick Wass/AP)

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Good start

Ross Detwiler, the Nationals' No. 5 starter, turned in a strong effort in Game 4, allowing just an unearned run in six innings. The Nats went on to win the game, 2-1, and force a deciding Game 5 on Friday. (Nick Wass/AP)

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St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina walks off the field after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning. Washington pitchers recorded eight consecutive outs via strikeout from innings 7-9. (Nick Wass/AP)

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Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa, top, leaps over St. Louis' Allen Craig to avoid a takeout slide on an attempted double play. Craig was ruled safe at second because Espinosa came off the bag too early. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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Jayson Werth reacts after hitting the game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Werth's blast came on the 13th pitch of his at-bat against Lance Lynn. Cards first baseman Allen Craig, foreground, trots off the field. (Nick Wass/AP)

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Looking to get ahead on the NL Division Series against the Nationals, the Cardinals send 2011 postseason hero Chris Carpenter out to start Game 3. It proves a wise decision. Carpenter works out of trouble in 5 2/3 innings and shows veteran savvy. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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Needing a fast start in Game 3, the Cardinals get it when Matt Holliday scores in the first inning on a double by Allen Craig. Nationals starter Edwin Jackson never gets on track against Redbirds batsmen. Holliday finishes the game 3-for-5 with two RBIs. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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Pete Kozma is in the Cardinals lineup as a replacement for injured Rafael Furcal, but its his bat that provides a spark in Game 3. Kozma, a pop-gun hitter in the minors, delivers a three-run home in the second inning that stakes the Cards to a 4-0 lead over the Nationals. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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When the Nationals threaten in Game 3, the Cardinals provide the defense to keep them in check. This catch by right fielder Carlos Beltran is in the third inning on a ball hit by the Nats' Jayson Werth. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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While the Cardinals made plays to keep the game in hand, their bats were making live miserable for the Nationals. Here, right fielder Jayson Werth fails to catch a ball hit by David Freese in the sixth inning. Bryce Harper comes to help Werth as Freese scoots to second with a double. It's one of two hits by Freese in Game 3. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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Bryce Harper, right, and teammates Henry Rodriguez, left and Michael Morse are left to ponder Thursday's Game 4, which could eliminate them from the National League playoffs. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

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In this multiple exposure photo, Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia delivers against the Nationals during Game 2 of the team's NL Division Series in St. Louis. Garcia left the game after two innings because of shoulder pain. (Chris Lee/AP)

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He's in there

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond slides home past St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina to score on a single by Jordan Zimmermann in the second inning of Game 2. The Cardinals' bats responded with a powerful outburst. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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Attaboy!

St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran (3) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning of Game 2. Beltran had two homers in the game. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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Jon Jay

Perhaps the catch of the year for the Cardinals: Center fielder Jon Jay makes a leaping grab against the outfield wall, robbing Danny Espinosa of an extra-base hit. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Can't get to it

Third baseman David Freese, last year's postseason hitting hero for the Cardinals, can't reach this hot shot by Washington's Michael Morse in the third inning. (Chris Lee/AP)

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Next!

Nationals relief pitcher Sean Burnett walks off the mound after being pulled during the eighth inning. Burnett was charged with four runs in the frame as the Cards broke open the game. St. Louis went on to win, 12-4.. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Warm up

Washington Nationals players stretch before Game 1 of their National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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Meeting of the minds

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, left, and Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson prepare to shake hands before the start of Game 1. To many, Johnson outmanaged Matheny in the late innings. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Adam Wainwright

St. Louis got a solid start from Adam Wainwright. The right-hander struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings and left with a 2-1 lead. After the Cards' offense failed to tack on runs in the seventh, St. Louis' bullpen faltered in the eighth. (Chris Lee/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/AP)

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Effectively wild?

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez, a 21-game winner in the regular season, issued seven walks in five innings. Four of those passes came in the second inning when the Cardinals scored both their runs without the benefit of a hit. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Yadi trots home

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina scored his team's first run Sunday on a wild pitch by Washington's Gio Gonzalez, background, in the second inning. The Cards plated a second run later in the inning on a sacrifice fly. (Tom Gannam/AP)

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Jay bird

Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay hits a sacrifice fly to score Daniel Descalso with St. Louis' second run of the second inning. That turned out to be the Redbirds' last run of the day. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Hang in there

Gio Gonzalez gets a pat on the head by catcher Kurt Suzuki after Gonzalez issued one of his four walks in the second inning. Gonzalez settled down and managed to last five innings. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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Early lead

Kurt Suzuki gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with this RBI single. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Take him out

Cardinals second baseman Daniel Descalso can't complete the double play as Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond slides into him in the fourth inning. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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Wasted opportunity

The Cardinals failed to score in the bottom of the seventh after loading the bases with no outs. Jon Jay was forced at home, and Yadier Molina hit into a double play on the next pitch. (Tom Gannam/AP)

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Decisive blow

Nationals pinch hitter Tyler Moore didn't get much wood on his single in the eighth inning, but he did enough to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. His hit stood up as the game-winner. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Here's to you

Nationals left fielder Michael Morse motions from the dugout to congratulate Tyler Moore on his two-run pinch single in the eighth inning. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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Difficult to watch

Cardinals reliever Marc Rzepczynski was on the other end of Moore's hit. Rzepczynski said he tried to throw a pitch well off the plate, but Moore reached out and dumped the ball into right field. (Chris Lee/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/AP)

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Game over

Matt Holliday, right, expresses his disappointment after striking out to end Game 1. Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki, left, begins his celebration. (Chris Lee/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/AP)